RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-04057
		
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her AF IMT 100, Request and Authorization For Separation, be corrected to reflect the Primary Air Force Specialty Code (PAFSC) 1A231 instead of 1A211.  

Her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the following:  

	a.  Aeronautical Badge.  

	b.  Primary Air Force Specialty Code (PAFSC) 1A231 instead 
		of 1A211.  

	c.  Date of Pay Grade to E-3, effective 28 Jun 2012 instead 
		of 20 Apr 2012.  

	d.  Basic Loadmaster Course.  (administratively resolved).



APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her military education and personnel records are inaccurate because she graduated from the Basic Loadmaster Course on 28 Jun 12 and received the corresponding certificates, as well as, earned the Aeronautical Badge.  Her pay grade to E-3 should reflect 28 Jun 12 because in accordance with her AF Form 3008, Supplement to Enlistment Agreement – United States Air Force, she entered the Air Force with the pay grade of E-1, airman basic and will earn the pay grade of E-3, airman first class upon completion of technical training of loadmaster.  

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.






STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 28 Jul 13, the applicant was honorably discharged, with a narrative reason for separation of “Disability, Severance Pay, Non-Combat Related,” and was issued an SPD code of “JEB” (physical disability with severance pay) and an RE code of “2Q.”  She was credited with one year, five months, and eight days of total active service.  

On 10 Oct 13, AFPC/DPSIT notified the applicant of their determination that she is entitled to the completion of the following formal training courses and their action to correct her records administratively:  

a.  Aircrew Fundamentals Course, effective 16 May 12.  

b.  Basic Loadmaster Course, effective 28 Jun 12.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letters prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibilities (OPRs) which are included at Exhibits C, D, E and F.  



AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

USAF/A3O-AIF recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the award of the Aeronautical Badge because she did not have at least 36 months of operational flying to be permanently awarded the Aircrew Member Badge.  In accordance with Air Force Regulation 11-402, Flying Operations, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Aviation Badges, career enlisted aviators (CEAs) in Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 1AXXX, may wear the airman aircrew member basic badge upon award of the AFSC 1AX3X.  In order to be awarded the permanent award of the airman aircrew member basic badge, a member must have 36 paid months of operational flying, have a current qualified Duty Air Force Specialty Code (DAFSC) 1AXXX, and be medically qualified for Flying Class III.  Furthermore, prior to meeting the requirements for the permanent award, an aeronautical order authorizing the continuous wear of the specified badge must be published.  Based on the documentation provided, the applicant graduated from the Basic Loadmaster Course; however, she was never awarded the permanent award of the basic airman aircrew member badge because she was only a Loadmaster for one year and three months, lacking the requirement to have 36 months of operational flying.  

A complete copy of the USAF/A3O-AIF evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSIC recommends denial of the applicant’s request to correct her records to reflect the PAFSC of 1A231 instead of 1A211.  In regards to AFSC 1A231, the Air Force Enlisted Classification Directory, 1A2X1 AFSC Specialty description indicates that “completion of the Aircrew Fundamentals Course is mandatory for pipeline and non-aviation service cross training students and completion of the Aircraft Loadmaster course is mandatory for award of the AFSC 1A231.”  However, an airman “performs duty” in an AFSC as evidenced by the duty AFSC.  In this case, the applicant’s duty history does not indicate performance of duty at the 3-skill level (1A231), just the 1-skill level (1A211).  In accordance with Air Force Instruction 36-3203, Separation Documents, the preparation of the DD Form 214 includes entering the PAFSC and all additional AFSCs in which the member served for 1 year or more, during the member’s continuous active military service.  In each AFSC, show the highest skill level in which the member performed duties.  [Emphasis added] and for each AFSC give the AFSC title (Not Duty Title) with the years and months of service.  Since the applicant performed duty as a 1A211, changing the AFSC listed in block 11 of the DD Form 214 would not be an accurate reflection of her record.  
 
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIC is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPSOE recommends approval of the applicant’s request to correct the effective date of her promotion to E-3, from 20 Apr 12 to 28 Jun 12.  The applicant provided documentation (technical training certificates of completion) in support of her request to correct her effective date of pay for airman first class (A1C).  In this case, the applicant entered active duty as an airman basic (AB) on 21 Feb 12 for a period of six years.  She was honorably discharged in the rank of A1C on 28 Jul 13 after serving 1 year, 5 months, and 8 days on active duty.  In accordance with Air Force Instruction 36-2502, Airman Promotion Programs, six-year enlistees are promoted to A1C upon completion of technical training, or 20 weeks, and given a date of rank (DOR) equal to their basic military training (BMT) graduation date.  The applicant was given an effective date of promotion to A1C equal to her BMT graduation date of 20 Apr 12.  However, it should have been the date she completed technical training, effective 28 Jun 12.  Correcting the effective date of promotion for A1C from 20 Apr 12 to 28 Jun 12, as requested, will cause a financial debt to the applicant.  Since this error was due to no fault of her own, it should be corrected, but the debt be remitted.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOE is at Exhibit E.

AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change her PAFSC from 1A211 to 1A231 on her AF IMT 100 and DD Form 214.  The applicant contends that since she passed the appropriate courses of instruction she should have been awarded her 3-skill level prior to her separation from active duty.  Although it is apparent that the applicant completed the Aircrew Fundamentals Course and the Aircraft Loadmaster Course, there is no evidence that any documentation was initiated to award the 3-skill level to the applicant’s AFSC.  This is normally done by means of an AF Form 2096, Classification/On-The-Job-Training Action.  In the absence of an AF Form 2096 in applicant’s records, it is unknown whether or not the completion of the two courses was all that was required or if some form of on-the-job training was also required of the applicant prior to awarding the 3-skil level.  The personnel database was not updated to reflect the applicant was awarded the PAFSC of the 3-skill level, therefore, when the computer generated AF IMT 100 was produced, it reflected the PAFSC at the 1-skill level.  The AF IMT 100 cannot be amended without proper source documentation in the applicant’s records awarding the PAFSC to the 3-skill level.  The Enlisted Skills Management would have confirmed if the applicant was awarded a PAFSC 3-skill level. 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOS is at Exhibit F.



APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reiterated her argument as to why her DD Form 214 should be corrected.  She further stated her confusion on how long the process is taking and not receiving an explanation as to why her rank was not consistent throughout her military records.  She would like for her DD Form 214 to be corrected as soon as possible.  

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit H.  



THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  At the time of her application, the applicant had exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.  

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s request for her records to be corrected to reflect she was awarded the Aeronautical Badge and the Primary Air Force Specialty Code (PAFSC) be corrected to reflect 1A231 instead of 1A211.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, including her rebuttal response, in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of HQ USAF/A3O-A1F, AFPC/DPSIC and AFPC/DPSOS and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  While the applicant argues she should have been awarded the Aeronautical Badge and that her PAFSC was not accurately updated, the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence to support a change in her records.  Additionally, since we have determined that a change in her PAFSC is not appropriate, a change in her AF IMT 100 to reflect the PAFSC 1A231 is also not possible.  However, we note that AFPC/DPSIT has verified the applicant’s entitlement for credit to the Aircrew Fundamentals Course and Basic Loadmaster Course, and her DD Form 214 will be updated to reflect this change.  

4.  Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice in regard to the applicant’s request for correction of the effective date of her promotion to the grade of A1C (E-3).  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with AFPC/DPSOE that in accordance with governing policy, the applicant should have been promoted to A1C upon completion of technical training.

5.  As AFPC/DPSOE noted, the correction we are recommending will create a debt.  Normally, this Board insists on exhaustion of subordinate administrative review before providing relief.  However, in this case, there was no debt at the time the applicant applied to this Board, and therefore nothing for a subordinate body to remit.  Being mindful of administrative economy, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected to the extent indicated below.



THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that she was promoted to the grade of airman first class (E-3), effective and with a date of rank of 28 June 2012, instead of 20 April 2012, and competent authority remitted any debt incurred as a result of the correction.  



The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-04057 in Executive Session on 6 Nov 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member



All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-04057 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Aug 12, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ USAF/A3O-AIF, dated 9 May 14
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIC, dated 12 May 14.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOE, dated 6 Jun 14.
	Exhibit F.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 3 Sep 14.
	Exhibit G.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Sep 14.
	Exhibit H.  Letter, Applicant, dated 1 Oct 14, w/atchs.